The Antiques connecting our past with our daily life in the most beautiful way. Stay in touch with your roots, with your tradition and meet another cultures and learn more about them.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Antique copper, brass and pewter

Today many
copper, brass and pewter items are obsolete because people are no longer using
these objects. However, because they add visual warmth and charm to a home,
attractive pieces in good condition still appeal to collectors.

17th century Dutch brass candlesticks

Copper and
brass objects became common in the home during the 17th and 18th
centuries and these early pieces are the most desirable for buyers today. Items
from the 19th and the early 20th centuries are typically
not as valuable. Many people keep their brass and copper highly polished, which
removes patina. Unlike silver, most brass and copper objects were unmarked
until the Companies Act of 1862. This can make dating difficult, but not
impossible, if you know what you are looking for.

Copper tea pot

For example, brass
candlesticks were not cast as one piece until the 18th century.
Previously they had been cast as two parts and soldered together, so it is
worth checking hollow examples for evidence of seams, which might indicate an
early date. An early 18th century brass candlestick might be valued
at £200, while a similar-shaped Victorian example may be worth less than £50.

Arts and Crafts copper plate

Many pewter
objects are likely to be older than copper and brass examples. The metal
declined in popularity during the 18th century and by the 19th
century only tavern mugs were being made in large numbers. Much early pewter
was melted down and re-cast into more fashionable styles, making good condition
pewter from before 17th century rare. There are, however, relatively
few collectors, so values tend to be modest.

American copper bed warmer

Fortunately,
not all base metalware is selling for low sums. During the Arts and Crafts
movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
several craftsmen abandoned mass production and returned to handcrafting
copper, brass and pewter objects. Some of the best pieces were produced by the
Newlyn School, the Keswick School and Liberty & Co. – which produced its ‘Tudric’
range of pewter wares in 1903. As with most Arts and Crafts objects, the
hand-worked metalware took time and skill to make. These pieces were costly at
the time, so relatively few were sold, and they should continue to fetch good
prices due to their rarity and quality.

Antique pewter metalware

Unfortunately,
the market for standard pewter, copper and brass object is unlikely to improve.
The best prices may be achieved on eBay or at a car-boot sale.